Toner Prizes

The Toner Prizes for Excellence in Political Reporting recognize the best U.S. national or local political reporting in any medium or on any platform—print, broadcast or online.

Two prizes—the Toner Prize for Excellence in National Political Reporting and the Toner Prize for Excellence in Local Political Reporting—are awarded annually by the Newhouse School. Each includes a $5,000 honorarium.

Entries are judged on how well they reflect the high standards and depth of reporting that marked Robin Toner’s work. Judges look for how well the entries:

Entries must be fact-based reporting, not commentary. Single articles, series or a body of work are eligible. Books are ineligible.

The Toner Prizes will be formally awarded on March 24 in Washington, D.C., at the Toner Celebration event.

2025 Toner Prize for Excellence in National Political Reporting

Winner: Reuters

Reporters: Peter Eisler, Ned Parker, Aram Roston and Joseph Tanfani

Entry: “The Politics of Menace”


Honorable Mention: Politico

Reporters: Jessie Blaeser, Kelsey Tamborrino, Benjamin Storrow, Zack Colman, David Ferris, Timothy Cama and Christine Mui

Entry: “Biden’s Billions”


2025 Toner Prize for Excellence in Local Political Reporting

Winner: NJ Advance Media

Reporters: Spencer Kent and Riley Yates

Entry: “Project Extreme”


Finalists for 2025 Toner Prize for Excellence in National Political Reporting


Finalists for 2025 Toner Prize for Excellence in Local Political Reporting


2025 Judges

Christina Bellantoni
Ann Compton
Lucy Dalglish
Beverly Kirk
Rick Rodriguez
Maralee Schwartz
Joseph B. Treaster

2025 Jurors

Jeanne Abbott
Caesar Andrews
Lee Banville
Rebecca Blatt
Ted Bridis
Jean Marie Brown
Kristen Canada
Jim Carroll
Chris Cillizza
Barbara Cochran
Mel Coffee
Douglas Cumming
Joshua Darr
Christopher Drew
Hamid Ekbia
Aileen Gallagher
Patricia Gaston
Gary Ghioto
Vince Gonzales
Chris Graves
Roy Gutterman
Jane Hall
Jesse Holland
Mark Horvit
Hebah Abdalla Lehmann
Christina Leonard
Judy Muller
Jill Olmsted
Jim Osman
Patrick Lee Plaisance
Mary Kay Quinlan
Raul Reis
Willa Seidenberg
Gina Shelton
Marquita Smith
Emily Sydnor
Lydia Timmins
Mark Turner
Yumi Wilson